Day-long ‘60s showcase includes ‘I have a dream’ reenactment
This past Friday from 12 to 10 p.m., as part of Alumni Month, History Now at VCU presented a 1960s showcase which included several lectures and first-hand discussions on society during the ‘60s.
Samantha McCartney
Staff Writer
Paislee Winkler
Contributing Writer
This past Friday from 12 to 10 p.m., as part of Alumni Month, History Now at VCU presented a 1960s showcase which included several lectures and first-hand discussions on society during the ‘60s.
The event, organized by VCU grad student Debbie Sherman, incorporated a reenactment of the famous Martin Luther King, Jr. “I Have A Dream” speech by professional actor Tony Cosby outside at the Commons Plaza.
Cosby’s performance was accompanied with music by VCU’s Black Awakening Choir.
A small crowd initially gathered, confused by what was going on. As soon as the famous words “I have a dream” were uttered by “Dr. King,” passers-by stopped to listen.
The choir sang after the speech, which got students and non-students alike singing to classic gospel music. Tony Cosby thought that the speech went well, describing it as having “a lot of good reactions and good energy.”
Along with the reenactment, there were a series of lectures in the Commons Theater on topics such as the Civil Rights Movement, fashion of the ‘60s, the anti-war movement, Hollywood and the music revolution. Lecturers included Christopher Wright, Holly Price Alford, Brian Daugherity, Herbert Hirsch and Emilie Raymond.
“I learned a lot from the lectures; it was a lot more (interesting) than reading a textbook,” said freshman Katherin Terlige.
Along with the Anti-war movement, one of the most recognizable aspects of the ‘60s included the hippie culture – represented on Friday by VCU’s Students for Sensible Drug Policy, some dressed as hippies, who had a stand set up during the event to educate people on the “war on drugs” that still exists today.
The president of the organization, Brian Gilbert, said that the main point of the stand being there was “…to promote student activism and get people to try and understand that there can be a happy medium when it comes to drug policies in this country.”
To end the showcase,there was a 1960s Retro Party and Costume Ball organized outdoors in the Commons Plaza later that night. Students were encouraged to dress up in the typical attire for the time period, whether it be retro chic or more like a Woodstock attendee. Refreshments were served and a live band, the Jangling Reinharts, performed during the party. Awards were also given for the best individual costume and the best group costume.
Toni Johnson, a freshman at VCU who came in a homemade ’60s mod outfit said she enjoyed the experience.
“The sixties were a big time for fashion,” she said. “I like reliving that time and style.” C
